Adult Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD can change the life of adults suffering from the condition. It can help people to understand the reasons they struggle with family, work and in relationships.
It is often difficult to diagnose since symptoms tend to overlap. A mental health specialist or health care professional will evaluate the individual and perform tests.
Signs and symptoms
It is possible that someone may not be aware of having ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers did not recognize the symptoms at an earlier time or due to the demands of college or work caused the disorder to be revealed. Adults with ADHD who aren't diagnosed suffer in their social, academic and work lives. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause numerous issues, including relationship problems and financial issues.
A mental health professional will conduct an interview and review the patient's medical, mental health and personal history, paying particular attention to symptoms in various situations. The patient will explain how these symptoms affect his or her daily functioning and relationships. It is essential that the patient is honest about the symptoms, and that he or she not hold back due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.
It is also important for the mental health professional to assess whether these symptoms are connected to other comorbidities such as anxiety or depression, which often coexist with ADHD. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse and cause problems with the treatment of the disorder.
If a psychologist or psychiatrist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by comorbid conditions, additional cognitive, neuropsychological, or learning disabilities tests could be used to help establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also aid in determining the degree of impairment in function caused by these conditions. In addition the mental health professional could request an interview with one or more significant others such as spouses, siblings and colleagues to get an entire picture of the person's functioning and challenges.
Diagnosis
For adults, a diagnosis of ADHD is usually made by a mental health care professional or physician who conducts a thorough diagnosis. This includes a detailed analysis of the symptoms and how they impact the way you live your life. It also includes the presence of any other mental disorders that can occur alongside ADHD, such depression and anxiety. In addition, the practitioner may request to speak with significant others--usually the spouse or a close friend -- to help gather more information about the person's behavior.
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing event. For many adults, the diagnosis finally gives them an explanation for what always seemed like "normal" behaviors. It is often a relief to know that they're not simply naive or oblivious; their problems are more complex.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This is a standard that has been established to ensure that people receive the help and treatment they need. For a person to qualify for an ADHD diagnoses they must exhibit symptoms for at least one year and have caused significant impairment in multiple settings, such as home, school or at work with family or friends or other activities. The number of symptoms required for adults over 17 has been reduced from six to five.
A good relationship with your primary healthcare provider can help you to recognize ADHD. Many doctors regularly diagnose and treat ADHD in children, and may refer you to a mental health professional who is able to perform an assessment of adults.
Treatment
When people with ADHD receive a diagnosis, their lives can change dramatically. They will finally have solutions to their issues in school, and also in establishing a career, or even in relationships. For some, a diagnosis can relieve the shame that may have been built up over the years from their symptoms not being addressed.
Talking to a mental health healthcare professional or health care professional is the first step to getting a diagnosis. They may inquire about the family history and perform physical examinations to rule out conditions that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD like sleep disorders, learning disabilities or use of alcohol/drugs. They may also ask the person to complete the checklist of symptoms.
During the assessment process the doctor may request to interview a spouse or partner. This allows the non ADHD spouse or partner to develop an accurate understanding of their loved one's ADHD and a sympathetic attitude towards the symptoms. This is important for improving relationships after a diagnoses. If this is not feasible, the clinician can interview friends or colleagues who are familiar with the person.
The main treatment is medication. options for adults suffering from ADHD. stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and commonly prescribed drugs for treating adult ADHD. Other medications such as atomoxetine, (Strattera(r),) and guanfacine, (Intuniv (r), Tenex (r)) are able to increase norepinephrine in the brain. These medications can improve ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy also is an option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a way to teach patients techniques to manage their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and strategies for organizing, self-regulation of emotions and behavior and managing negative self-criticism and negative emotions. Other therapies, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps adults identify subconscious thoughts or irrational thought patterns that lead to negative behavior and develop positive self-talk.
Medication
Many people discover that ADHD medications can help alleviate their symptoms. The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant. It works by increasing the activity of brain regions that regulate behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most popular medication used by adults suffering from ADHD is available in many forms. It can be taken as immediate-release tablets or as modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is another kind of medication, works by decreasing brain activity and can be taken in pill form or liquid.
If treating adult patients suffering from ADHD, the psychotherapist or psychiatrist may look over the patient's family history as well as medical history to identify factors that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD. This is necessary because some medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizure disorders can cause symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Some medications and dietary supplement can also cause similar signs.
During the evaluation it is likely that the person will describe their ADHD symptoms to the therapist or psychiatrist. They will be asked to fill out standardized ADHD rating scales and check lists as well as complete psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory (abilities such as decision-making and planning) spatial and visual capabilities, as well as reasoning skills.
If the psychiatrist or therapist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are causing serious harm to the life of a person they will suggest treatment with medication. In certain instances the therapist may ask the individual's partner or spouse to speak with them about the effects of the symptoms on their relationship. This can help reduce the blame between people and encourage healthier, more productive relations.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD get relief from receiving an diagnosis. It's a chance to understand why they have problems at work or school and learn how to overcome these issues. It's also a chance to overcome negative habits and build self-esteem.
A solid support system is essential for success, and counseling can help. Counseling for ADHD may include psychotherapy (or psychological therapy) and a variety behavior-based interventions. For instance, a therapist may create a reward chart that rewards positive behavior and is able to impose consequences for negative behavior. Therapists can also teach the patient skills to manage symptoms, for example relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditative poses in yoga.
Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit you have problems with attention or planning and organizing. It can be embarrassing to inform coworkers and supervisors about your ADHD. The majority of teachers and supervisors will offer accommodations to accommodate your needs. They could, for instance permit you to write on computers instead of paper or offer more in-depth explanations of classroom material.
IamPsychiatry will also teach you how to cope with ADHD through cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. This is a structured form of talk therapy which assists you in changing negative behaviours and thoughts into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also include family or marital therapy, which teaches family members how to better interact with a person with ADHD and to improve communication and problem-solving abilities. People with ADHD might also be suffering from other mental disorders such depression or anxiety and could also have issues with substance abuse.